A native of India, organic sesame seed is rich in vitamins and minerals and has been used as a healing herb for millennia. The seeds are known for their prominent nutty flavour that lends itself wonderfully to soups, salads, and meats. Today, organic sesame seeds are used for cooking or as a condiment, with China, India, and Japan being the most prominent users.
In Asia Pacific region India is known as sesame seeds large-scale production and export destination. Organic sesame seeds are small flat creamy white seeds in appearance with the outer husk removed (hulled). Organic standards of sesame seeds minimize or eliminate the use of synthetic or manufactured inputs & encourage maximum use of local natural resources. Most of these seeds are used for oil extraction and the rest are used for edible purposes.
Nutritional values of Organic Sesame Seeds:
Just a handful of organic sesame seeds a day provides enough recommended levels of phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein. They enhance healthy skin, are a beneficial source of protein for vegetarians, are advantageous for oral hygiene, aid in the prevention of diabetes, promote excellent cardiovascular health, prevent cancer, are beneficial for bone health and aid digestion.
Market Trends of Organic Sesame Seeds:
The organic variants of sesame seed were formerly appreciated for their ability to add nutty flavor or garnish foods and were solely used for oils and wines. Down the line, organic sesame seeds are used in a plethora of food products with a major focus on yielding the cooking oils. These seeds find their applications in baking industries for adding flavour & seasoning to the snacks, buns & other bakery products.
Organic sesame oil is also used to make soaps and margarine, along with garnishing various cuisines in Japan. The oil generated from the organic sesame seeds is used to enhance the shelf life & fortify the preservative efficacy of the packaged food products. Organic sesame oil is refined & used extensively in cosmetics worldwide. The leftover cake after the removal of oil from the sesame seeds is mostly used for livestock feed or often as compost.
The organic sesame seed market can be categorized on the basis of –
- Colour: White Sesame Seed, Black Sesame Seed, and Brown Sesame Seed
- Seed Form: Raw or Whole Seed and Processed Seed
- Application: Ready-To-Eat Food Products, Baked Snacks, Bakery Products, Confectionery, Cosmetics and Pet Food
- Geography: Europe, Asia Pacific, Americas and Rest of the World (RoW).
Growth Drivers for Global Organic Sesame Market:
International demand & export of organic sesame seeds is steadily increasing in India. The mounting demand for organic seeds in various food products, ready to eat products, bakery products, animal feed products, cosmetics, and medicines is key driving factors for growth of global organic sesame market. Since it is essentially used in food & medicines in developed countries, the importers are insisting on certified organic produce.
Sesamum seeds with uniform size, lustrous, white, bold seed, free from flash, low free fatty acids ( < 2%) and free from pesticides residues are preferred in the global markets. The solution for producing & supplying the organic variety lies in identifying appropriate production zones, standardization of production technologies and adoption of organic production methods through contract farming to produce the requisite product.
With a high-level of protein content in the organic sesame seed, the animal feed products are readily aligning to the condiment which is giving a significant boost to its demand in the poultry and livestock sectors. Tahini (paste) made from organic sesame seeds are always preferred for their distinctive flavor & low-fat contents.
The growing awareness regarding the health benefits of organic sesame seeds consumption is seamlessly driving the global market. The healthy eating trend and the increased usage of sesame seeds in different food items have significantly contributed to the market growth. Also, the sales of organic sesame seeds through retail & foodservice sectors is increasing. This increases product visibility, thereby, gaining more consumer base.
